Marrakech – Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 has generated 6.1 billion digital impressions and 5.2 billion video views across social media platforms, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) data released Wednesday.
The tournament recorded 8.5 million new followers, establishing it as the most digitally engaged continental football competition in history.
CAF reported 285 million total engagements during the tournament. TikTok became the primary platform for fan content, with more than one million videos created under the official tournament hashtag. Fans used the platform to share creative goal celebrations, tactical breakdowns, humor, music, and fashion inspired by the championship.
“The milestone positions Africa’s flagship football event at the very top of global digital engagement, surpassing every comparable continental tournament in history,” CAF stated in its official report.
Digital growth occurred particularly within the African diaspora community, where CAF attracted millions of new audiences across multiple platforms. Content from the tournament spread across borders, languages and cultures at unprecedented speed.
“The digital success of TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 reflects CAF’s continued commitment to innovation, fan engagement, and global growth,” the confederation stated.
CAF’s assessment concluded that “with record-setting numbers and a vibrant online community, the tournament has set a new benchmark for how football in Africa is experienced, shared and celebrated around the world.”
Read also: More Than a Game: How AFCON Reflects Africa’s Identity
Morocco’s hosting delivered substantial economic returns alongside the digital success. Industry and Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour told Spanish news agency EFE that direct revenues exceeded €1.5 billion, funding 80% of infrastructure needed for the 2030 World Cup.
CAF achieved record commercial performance during the tournament. Revenues increased by more than 90% compared to the 2023 Ivory Coast edition, marking the organization’s most profitable tournament.
The number of tournament sponsors expanded from nine in Cameroon 2021 to 17 in Ivory Coast 2023, reaching 23 for Morocco 2025. CAF entered new markets including China and Japan while strengthening existing partnerships.
Broadcasting distribution increased significantly with 111 rights holders and broadcasters transmitting the tournament globally, compared to 67 during the previous edition and 38 in Cameroon 2021.
Tournament revenues totaled $192.6 million with net profits estimated at $113.8 million, substantially exceeding the $72 million from the previous edition. Morocco’s projected 20% share from CAF’s broadcast and sponsorship revenues was initially estimated at $22.5 million.
The competition attracted over 1.25 million spectators across nine stadiums, establishing a new attendance record. The final between Morocco and Senegal drew 66,526 supporters to Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Mezzour described the tournament’s impact as achieving “a decade of development in 24 months” through infrastructure investments totaling €2.3 billion. The projects included nine stadium constructions or rehabilitations alongside road networks, airports, and services.
The minister reported employment creation exceeding 100,000 jobs and consumption increases of 25-30% in commercial sectors during the tournament period. Supported by approximately 600,000 tournament-specific visitors, Morocco recorded 20 million tourist arrivals in 2025, representing 14% growth.
